Drug Abuse Facts

Before you can understand drug abuse facts, it is essential you have an understanding what drug abuse actually is. A fact about drug abuse for many would be; to health nuts, sugar is considered something people abuse as it is accepted and in so many things we eat, drink or can add to tea’s and coffee. The fact is sugar in itself is not healthy nor a drug, however, the caffeine in the products you are putting the sugar in, is. Excessive amounts of caffeine can alter your diet leading to a lack of nutrients that you need to sustain a healthy lifestyle; it also raises the heart rate that can cause a jittery feeling. The fact about caffeine when abused, it causes a dramatic, however short term, spike in your blood pressure hence making it an acceptable, however, in my opinion still a drug.

The definition of drug abuse according to the Mayo Clinic Staff; “Drug addiction is a dependence on an illegal drug or a medication. When you're addicted, you may not be able to control your drug use and you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction can cause an intense craving for the drug. You may want to quit, but most people find they can't do it on their own.
For many people, what starts as casual use leads to drug addiction. Drug addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences, including problems with physical and mental health, relationships, employment and the law.”

However, for DrugRehab.org the definition or facts about drug abuse would be; “The definition of drug abuse continues to change because the term is subjective and infused with the political and moral values of the society or culture one lives in. An example of this is the drug caffeine. It is physically addicting but is not considered an abused drug because it does not generally trigger antisocial behavior in users. Despite the definition, drug abuse generally leads down a path to drug addiction. However, not every person who abuses drugs becomes an addict.”

Drug abuse facts that you need to ponder:

1. Abusing drugs does not only hurt the person that is abusing the drugs but their families. There is often physical abuse to family members that get in the path of the abuser. 
2. Fact is drug abuse causes parents to lose their children to the welfare system. Some drug users get clean and regain their families however it is many months of hard work.
3. Fact is many addicts let drug abuse get so far out of control they get felony charges and spend 15-30 years in jail.
4. Drug abuse fact for 2012 is that meth use and or labs are on the rise, as purchasing the ingredients or manufacturing the meth has become easy. The fact is manufacturing of meth is even done in trunks of vehicles and in so many places or styles. It’s a fact drug abuse is rampant.

The major facts about drug abuse are; it is compulsive, excessive, habit forming and self-damaging. Another drug abuse fact is, it can lead to dependence on the drug, even when prescribed, and have serious repercussion to the body. The fact is drug abuse can damage your liver, heart, kidneys and even lead to memory loss and or death.
As simple as caffeine is, it is still considered a drug as it has effects to the body; understanding drug abuse, the facts and the consequences is a real eye-opener. If you, friend or family member have a drug abuse problem seek professional help.